Elul Newsletter 5785

This newsletter is dedicated to the souls of the fallen and the murdered Israelis, along with the safe return of all the Israeli citizens held in captivity.

Does God need man and what activities can we do to bring abundance into the world?

Activities

A Tisha Be’Av March around the walls of Jerusalem took place in cooperation with the Israel is Forever organization, in a march full of connectivity to values, Zionism, and the belonging to the Land of Israel.

At the same time, important news is coming to the Temple Mount pilgrims: the entire movements on the Mount have united and established a new steering team, which will unite all the activists and ensure the well-being of the pilgrims, broad representation and continuous communication with the police.

This move comes following a successful meeting with Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and marks the beginning of a blessed path that will encourage many more to ascend the Mount in purity and joy.

In 2025, 38,706 Israeli Jews and 28,309 tourists ascended the Temple Mount.
What about you?

(Credit: Journal Makor Rishon)

The month of Elul is known as the month of mercy and forgiveness, a time of repentance and drawing closer to God.

Why does the heart awaken to repent in Elul?
The answer lies in the profound connection found between the month of Elul and the prophet Elijah, who, according to tradition, came from the tribe of Gad - the tribe that is attributed to the month of Elul according to the secret.

The Sages (Hazal) teach us that the prophet Elijah will proclaim the redemption and return repentance, as it is indicated in the prophet Malachi, "And he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers."

However, according to the Hasidic Torah, particularly in the writings of "Meor Einayim (מאור עיניים)," it becomes clear that Elijah is not just waiting for the latter days - he is already acting now, during the exile, in the heart of each and every one of Israel, to awaken desire and inner repentance.

The midrash of the verse "And he atoned for the children of Israel" emphasizes: it is not said "and made atonement," but "and he is atoning" in the present tense - a hint that Elijah still stands and makes atonement, continuing to act for repentance until the Messiah comes.

The Rema of Pano (Menahem Azariah da Fano) adds that Elijah the prophet also offers spiritual sacrifices every day in exile, such as the offerings of the Daily Sacrifice (Korban Tamid), which awakened Israel to repentance in the Temple. So, it is today – thanks to Elijah, the heart of Israel is awakened.

This clarifies why the month of Elul, which is opposite the tribe of Gad from which Elijah came, is the month most capable of repentance.

Upon the arrival of the month of Elul, in the blessed Parashat Re'eh (פרשת ראה), it is written: "Behold, I have given to you this day a blessing and a curse" (Deuteronomy 11:26).
There are always 2 facets to everything - a blessing and a curse.

God asks: See, observe and focus on the blessings life has to offer. This requires a deep look and positive persistence. When one person always focuses on the good in life, he sweeps the many followers after him and causes them to also see the good in the world and the good in each and every one and focus on it.

One positive look can bring an entire world to true goodness.

And this is exactly how the Prophet Elijah operates – igniting this spark of goodness, of faith, of awakening and inner repentance, of a positive outlook on the world, of drawing closer to God – when we focus on goodness – we choose blessing.

Hence, we always say: “Prophet Elijah is remembered for good” – because he is remembered for good for inspiring us to return to our Father in Heaven, especially in the month of Elul, thanks to which we will merit complete redemption: the building of the Third Temple in peace.

(From Rabbi Pinchas Friedman Shlit"a and Rabbi Yoav Yosef Akrish)

"Open for me a door like the point of a needle – and I will open for you a door like the door of a hall"
An expression of the strength of the inner will – even a small step of repentance is received in heaven with great force.
(Midrash Shir Hashirim Rabbah 5)